Chapter 2 Going to the Countryside
Life goes on and nothing seems to be different. Lin Mo is as silent as usual. Dad Lin has a frown on his brows. Mom Lin seems to be hesitant to speak every day and has a few blisters at the corners of her mouth.
Lin Qi saw all this and became more determined to leave.
Second Sister Lin still went out early and came back late, and was nowhere to be seen every day. She also took two bottles of ketchup from Lin Qi, saying that she needed them to ask someone for help.
That night, Lin Qi had already gone to bed when Lin Erjie sneaked into the room.
"It's done. You pack your things tomorrow. The bus leaves at five in the morning the day after tomorrow. You get up at four and I'll take you to the gathering then." Second Sister Lin leaned close to Lin Qi's ear and whispered.
Lin Qi hummed, turned over and continued to sleep.
Lin Miaomiao looked at her thin back, the bony bones showing through her worn vest. She felt a little reluctant, but only a little. "It will be better for all of us if you leave."
Comfort yourself and also comfort Lin Qi.
Lin Qi didn't comment and didn't reply.
The next day, Lin Erjie rarely went out and helped Lin Qi pack. However, Lin Qi only had three or four sets of clothes, a toothbrush, an enamel cup, an enamel basin, and an aluminum lunch box. There was nothing much to pack.
"There is only one quilt. If you take it away, I won't be able to cover myself with it." Lin Miaomiao grabbed the corner of the quilt, looking conflicted.
Lin Qi lowered her eyebrows and looked at the quilt. "It's very cold in the mountains."
silence.
Awkward.
No one spoke.
In the evening, Second Sister Lin was having dinner at home. She rarely picked up food for Lin Qi. Mother Lin was surprised at first, but then she looked relieved and her eyes were red. “Now your sister is not stupid anymore. You should take her out to play more often and let her meet more people of her age. Maybe she will get better slowly.”
Mother Lin was eager to hear this, but Sister Lin didn't dare to look her in the eye and replied casually, "I know. Starting tomorrow, I will introduce her to many people."
Lin Qi did not comment on what Lin Erjie said. She would indeed meet a lot of people tomorrow, and would meet even more people in the future, all thanks to Lin Erjie.
Lin Mo's eyes wandered between the two sisters, and his brows knitted together, as if giving instructions, or warnings, "You can take Qiqi out, but you can't bully her."
At any other time, Lin Miaomiao would have definitely refuted, but this time, she had something to hide, so she just hummed in silence and buried her head in eating.
After dinner, the family washed up and went back to their rooms.
Lin Qi knocked on Lin Mo's door holding a small gray package.
"Come in." Lin Mo sat on the bed. Beside the bed was a small desk with a few books on it. They were wrapped in book covers, showing that they were very precious.
"Brother~" Lin Qi pushed the door open clumsily.
When Lin Mo heard her voice, he immediately looked up, stood up, and took a step in front of her.
This room was divided into two rooms by a large room, one for Lin Mo, and one for sisters Lin Qi and Lin Miaomiao. Both small rooms were very narrow.
Lin Mo took the thing from Lin Qi's hand and asked, "What is this?"
"Give me the sauce, brother." This was just made by Lin Qi a few days ago. One bottle was taken away by Lin's second sister, leaving three bottles. They are all here now.
"Just keep it for you. Why give it to your brother?" Lin Mo stuffed the small package back into Lin Qi's hands.
Lin Qi didn't answer, "Second sister, steal!"
"It's not stealing between family members." Lin Mo corrected Lin Qi, but seeing that the little girl still didn't take it, he didn't force her, "Then I'll keep it for you, and come to me when you need it."
"Send it off, brother." Lin Qi looked into Lin Mo's eyes.
Lin Mo was stunned by her serious look, and his heart softened for some reason. He raised his hand and said, "Okay, brother, take it. Let's eat together."
After delivering the ketchup, Lin Qi was about to leave, but Lin Mo stopped her. Lin Qi turned around and saw him unlock the drawer and take out a small iron box.
Lin Mo handed her the small iron box and told her, "Hide it well, don't let your second sister find it."
Lin Qi stared at the small iron box and could vaguely guess what was inside, but she still asked one more question. "What is it?"
"Take the money and tickets and spend them. If you don't have any more, I'll give you more." Lin Mo, who was wearing a ripped vest, said proudly.
Lin Qi looked down at the iron box. If it were normal, she would not accept it, but it was different now. She had to go to the countryside and had many things to buy. She urgently needed money and tickets.
Before dawn the next day, Lin Qi was awakened by Lin Miaomiao, who lowered her voice and whispered in her ear, "Get up quickly, be gentle, and don't make any noise."
Lin Qi rubbed her eyes. She was a little clumsy and couldn't move faster. In the end, Lin Miaomiao helped her pack her things and dragged her out the door.
Before leaving, Lin Qi quietly pulled out a small vegetable seedling from the flowerpot in front of the window.
The two sisters sneaked out of the house and headed straight for the gathering place.
There were many people going to the countryside. Lin Miaomiao took Lin Qi and moved through the crowd. They first went to sign in with the staff, and then followed the team to the station.
Lin Qi's movements were slower than the others, even her walking was a beat slower. In order to avoid falling behind, Lin Miaomiao held her the whole time, which took a lot of effort.
Lin Qi let her pull him, looking around. These educated youth were not very old, most of them were about sixteen or seventeen years old, still childish, and only a small number were over twenty years old.
"Guizhi, are you also signing up to go to the countryside?"
"I don't want to apply, but there is no other way. There are five children in my family. My father is a regular worker in the food factory and my mother is a temporary worker. Their salary is not enough for our family to eat and drink. Now, except for my eldest brother who is married and my youngest brother, the other three of us have to go to the countryside, and they are all going to different places."
"My family's situation is similar to yours. Among the four of us, only one has a job. The remaining three drew lots, and my second brother and I were selected."
"Go to the countryside, respond to the call, go to the most difficult and poorest places to achieve something and realize the meaning of life!"
“.......”
On the platform, Lin Qi, holding a small package, stood out among the others.
"This is a special train for educated youth. You are in carriage No. 2. Be careful on the train and don't let anyone steal your things." Lin Erjie advised.
Lin Qi wanted to roll her eyes, but she held back and reminded this good sister, "No, things, steal!"
Second Sister Lin's face froze, and she coughed twice uncomfortably. After hesitating for a long time, she gritted her teeth, took out a few bills from her pocket and stuffed them into Lin Qi's hand, "Don't say that I don't care about you, I only have this much. If you're hungry, buy something to eat."
Lin Qi grabbed the banknotes and said, "Thank you, thank you."
Second Sister Lin waved her hands, "Don't thank me, just don't blame me. There's no point blaming me. If you stay at home, my brother and I will be ruined in this life."
Lin Qi ignored what Lin Erjie said and lowered her head to look at the bills. There were two two-cent bills, three one-cent bills, and one or two cents. The total amount was less than one dollar!
"Do you know the words above?" When it comes to recognizing words, Second Sister Lin frowned. This younger sister has been a fool for fifteen years, has never been to school, and is ignorant of the ways of the world. How can she arrive in the countryside safely?
From planning to send Lin Qi to the countryside to now sending Lin Qi on the special train for educated youth, Second Sister Lin felt regret for the first time.
However, the name has already been reported and it is too late to regret.
Lin Qi didn't understand what Second Sister Lin was thinking, so she stretched out her skinny little hand towards Lin Miaomiao, "Food coupons!"
"No." Second Sister Lin blurted out, but when she met Lin Qi's suspicious eyes and that small face, her heart softened for a moment and she took out a four-liang food coupon, "How do you know there is no food coupon? Aren't you illiterate?"
"Brother, I have taught you." Lin Qi said.
"How many characters do you know?" Lin Erjie thought that it was good enough for her sister, who was suddenly not stupid, but dull and clumsy, to recognize some numbers. The reason she knew about food stamps was that she could distinguish them based on the patterns, not the characters.
Lin Qi refused to answer. She would not tell Lin Erjie that she could recognize all the words in the books at home.
Second Sister Lin sent Lin Qi to the car, helped Lin Qi find a seat, pressed Lin Qi down on the seat, and stared into Lin Qi's eyes, "Don't blame me, I have no choice. For me, for my brother, and for our parents, this is the best arrangement."
She never wanted to be laughed at for having a silly sister again, and she never wanted to be despised again.
Lin Qi pursed her lips, "No, it's weird!"
But from then on, they were sisters in name only.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com